Natasha Lovato / NewsBreak Denver
(Highlands Ranch, Colo.) For the 35th consecutive year, Highlands Ranch was named a Tree City USA destination by The Arbor Day Foundation.
The Tree City USA program recognizes cities, communities, and towns committed to planting and nurturing trees. The Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, sponsors it.
The Arbor Day Foundation honored Highlands Ranch for its part in effective urban forest management based on the program's requirements which include maintaining a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
Dan Lambe, chief executive officer of the Arbor Day Foundation, explained that communities that have been Tree City USA destinations for decades, such as Highlands Ranch, have seen the positive effects firsthand.
“The trees being planted and cared for by Highlands Ranch are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life,” Lambe said.
Highlands Ranch boasts more than 15,000 trees in its urban forest in parks, roadways, and open space areas.
Residents who recently pruned their trees for spring are invited to recycle any discarded tree limbs and woody plant materials at the upcoming tree recycling event and collect free mulch for any upcoming landscaping projects.
The Highland Ranch Metro District’s spring tree recycling event is from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. May 7 in the Redstone Park parking lot near Halftime Help Stadium, 3270 Redstone Park Circle in Highlands Ranch.
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